[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung will hold a press conference for the public on the morning of the day after tomorrow (September 18) at Cheong Wa Dae. He is expected to directly state his position on major state affairs, including recent controversial cabinet appointments, constitutional revision, and the dismissal of indictments.

Kang Min-u reports.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung plans to hold a press conference at the Cheong Wa Dae State Guest House on the morning of September 18 to clarify his stance on pending state affairs.

[Seong Gi-hong / Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Public Communication and PR: "It will be an occasion to deliver the president's firm determination for reform, a governing philosophy prioritizing people's livelihoods, and a message of stronger national unity. He will clearly state and explain to the public our position and direction on key pending issues."]

The press conference, the seventh since his inauguration, will be conducted in a question-and-answer format with reporters, broadly divided into two sessions: politics and diplomacy, and policy and the economy.

A Cheong Wa Dae official stated that while previous press conferences marking his 30th day, 100th day, and first year in office were occasion-driven, this conference was organized to provide an opportunity to resolve various questions currently arising.

With the aim of communicating candidly and thoroughly regarding various state affairs drawing keen public attention, President Lee is expected to provide explanations on key issues. These include cabinet appointment controversies—such as Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, who faces allegations of soliciting favors from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and former Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in, who voluntarily stepped down—as well as the deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz and investment negotiations with the United States.

Attention is also drawn to whether President Lee will directly express his position on matters such as the "consecutive-term constitutional amendment" raised by opposition parties including the People Power Party, and the issue of dropping indictments by the special counsel investigating fabricated indictments.

The press conference comes amid a continued downward trend in his administration's approval ratings across various recent opinion polls.

All eyes are on whether President Lee will be able to secure an opportunity for a rebound in approval ratings.

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Ha Ryung | Video Editing by Lee Seung-hee)